Orbolution Breeders' Cup bound after dominant win in P.G. Johnson Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Orbolution began her career on the dirt, but she confirmed Thursday that her career will be played out on the turf as she dominated Thursday’s $100,000 P.G. Johnson Stakes by 4 3/4 lengths at Saratoga.

Taking advantage of a ground-saving trip under John Velazquez, Orbolution burst through an opening along the inside in midstretch and drew off convincingly for her second win in as many starts on the grass. Wild N Ready rallied from fourth to finish second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Sassy Sienna, who rallied from last.

Mentality, the pacesetter finished fourth, and was followed, in order, by Romantic Babe, Life Time Citizen and Oldfashioned Style.

There was some jostling at the start of the P.G. Johnson, as Mentality bore out at the break and caused some bumping. Velazquez straightened out Orbolution and put her on the inside in third, about three lengths off the pace.

Mentality, under Ricardo Santana Jr., set fractions of 24.08 and 47.85 and 1:14.29 for the first six furlongs, with a hard-to-handle Oldfashioned Style stalking from second.

Anticipating Mentality would come off the rail turning for home, Velazquez put Orbolution in position to pounce when that happened. As if on cue, Mentality drifted off the rail turning for home, Velazquez guided Orbolution through the opening and she sprinted clear for the victory.

“That was incredible,” Velazquez said of the burst of speed Orbolution displayed. “As soon as she took the spot there she accelerated very quickly; very nice.”

Orbolution, a daughter of Orb owned by StarLadies Racing headed by Laurie Wolf and Barbara Lucarelli, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.18 and returned $3.50 as the 3-5 favorite.

“It was pretty impressive for a 2-year-old filly; it wasn’t a big hole but she shot through it,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher, who trained Orbolution’s mother, My Rachel. “She’s got a great turn of foot. Tactically, she’s rateable so it’s a good position to be in.”

Orbolution will be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 3 but Pletcher said that Orbolution is doing so well that he may look to run her beforehand, with one potential spot being the Grade 3, $200,000 Miss Grillo at Belmont Park on Oct. 1.